The Little Horses of Tarquinia

There are no vacations from love.... In this careful translation from the French novel by Marguerite Duras, five Parisians spend an interminable three days of their vacations at a dreary Italian beach resort. There is nothing to do but talk, drink bitter Camparis, and contemplate (or perhaps consummate) a love affair or two. As the days wear on, they imperceptibly change some of their beliefs, from For some time I have not liked the idea of changing the world at all costs to But certainly it is necessary to change the world, concluding with There are no vacations from love....Love, it is necessary to live it completely with its boredom and everything; there are no vacations from that.